Rimowa Luggage Review: Why Is Rimowa So Expensive?

If you’ve done some traveling, you may have seen someone pushing a ribbed, hard-sided case that looks sturdy and seems expensive. That luggage you’ve just seen is a Rimowa—one of the most pricey suitcases in the world and a favorite among several luxury and frequent travelers.

Rimowa suitcases are popular because they are so durable. The German company that manufactures Rimowa has been making aluminum suitcases since 1950, and they are still one of the most popular models today. Rimowa suitcases are made with high-quality materials and construction, which is why they come with a high price tag.

What Kind of Luggage Does Rimowa Make?

Rimowa’s luggage collections come in various sizes. Their smallest luggage size, Cabin, is just enough to bring as a carry-on and can hold enough for a day or two. They also have Check-in, medium-sized luggage, and Trunk, their biggest-sized bag.

All their suitcases are hard-sided and are made of aluminum or polycarbonate. Colors vary per collection, but Rimowa focuses more on solid, primary colors, such as silver (their most popular suitcase), black, and white for their aluminum luggage. Their polycarbonate suitcases have a wider range of fun and trendy colors.

Rimowa’s suitcases are specially built to cater to a traveler’s specific needs. If you go on business trips often, you may want to try the Compact or Cabin Essential Sleeve, which features an easy-access front pocket where you can put a laptop, tablet, or other essentials, such as a mobile phone and business documents.

How Much Does a Rimowa Cost?

A Rimowa suitcase can cost anywhere from $700 to over $1,000. The price will depend on the size and style.

One of Rimowa’s bestsellers is the Classic Cabin suitcase which costs a little less than $1,500. If you get the Classic in a large Check-In size, it will cost you over $1,800, and if you get it in Trunk (the largest size), it will cost you over $2,000.

Why Is Rimowa So Expensive? Is Rimowa Worth it?

Rimowa suitcases seem overpriced for the average tourist, but for luxury travelers, the price is more than worth it.

What goes into making a Rimowa, and why is their luggage so expensive?

High-Quality, Durable Materials

Rimowa suitcases are made of some of the most high-quality materials.

Originally, Rimowa suitcases were only made of aluminum alloy, which is harder to manufacture and costs more than pure aluminum. It combines aluminum, copper, magnesium, and manganese, with more than 90% of the mix consisting of aluminum. The result is a soft, yet strong material for the luggage.

In 2000, Rimowa released its first polycarbonate luggage, amid criticism that no one would be willing to spend money for luggage made of plastic. Nevertheless, Rimowa’s sales continue to soar as more people discover the durability and quality of Rimowa.

Established Brand

Rimowa has been a fundamental brand in the travel industry for over a hundred years. From their first wooden suitcases to their aluminum and polycarbonate ones, they have established themselves as one of the best in terms of luggage. Several luxury travelers who spend most of their time flying from one destination to another use Rimowa for its durability and the name and prestige it has built for itself.

Rigorous Testing

Before a Rimowa suitcase hits the market, it undergoes a series of tests to ensure its quality. Rimowa tests the wheels by rolling them on a belt for 1,500 kilometers. Next, they lift the handle 1,000 times to ensure it is sturdy for even the heaviest weights. With over 200 individual parts, it takes an average of 33 people and 90 minutes to put one suitcase together.

Innovation

Despite being one of the oldest luggage brands, Rimowa isn’t far behind in terms of using the latest technology. The company continues to innovate and find ways to make travel better and safer for its customers.

Most—if not all—their suitcases come with TSA-approved locks to keep your belongings safe no matter where you go. Several of their suitcases have double-spinner wheels and smooth telescopic handles, so it is easy to pull your luggage along, no matter how heavy.

If you struggle with closing your luggage because something always snags in the zipper, Rimowa also has zipperless suitcases for you.

Rimowa Warranty – Lifetime Guarantee

RIMOWA provides a lifetime manufacturer’s guarantee for new suitcases purchased from July 25, 2022. RIMOWA’s lifetime guarantee covers all functional aspects of your RIMOWA suitcase for the life of your suitcase.

RIMOWA’s lifetime guarantee does not apply to cosmetic wear and tear, misuse or abuse, or damages caused by negligence or accident by any third party, particularly flight or transport damages.

If your Rimowa luggage was purchased before July 25, 2022, it has a five-year warranty, as long as you register your product after you buy it. If you forgot to register it, the warranty drops to two years instead of five.

However, if your luggage breaks during the guarantee period, Rimowa has stated they will check the product and contact you. If the warranty covers the product, Rimowa will be the one to replace the item and pay for the shipment.

In some instances, even if the warranty does not cover your suitcase’s defect, Rimowa may still repair your luggage or give you a new one.

When Was Rimowa Established?

Rimowa started as a small family business in the late 1800s, specializing in durable and lightweight wooden luggage. It was only in 1950 that they released the first aluminum case. The luggage was an eye-catcher with grooves made to resemble the aircraft in the 1950s. The suitcases were also made from aluminum and copper alloy—the same materials used to build planes—showing just how durable they were. Rimowa’s popularity in terms of design and durability soon spread, and the luggage became a status symbol—only used by the wealthy and successful.

Through decades of research and testing, Rimowa has added to its collections to meet travelers’ diverse needs. Nevertheless, their classic suitcases, new and improved, remain on the market and are still as popular as ever.

Where Is Rimowa Luggage Made?

Rimowa’s extremely durable aluminum suitcases are made in Germany and Canada. Its polycarbonate suitcases, on the other hand, are manufactured in Canada and Europe. As Rimowa owns 80% of its manufacturing chain, you can be assured of no compromise where quality is concerned. It may be cheaper to outsource production to external supply chains, but Rimowa has chosen to keep everything in-house, which means they can control the quality, though the cost of items is high.

You need to be careful when buying Rimowa luggage, as it is one of the most counterfeited luggage brands on the market, and copycats have done a first-rate job in recreating a Rimowa to the point that it almost looks exactly like the authentic one. If you don’t know what to look for, you will not be able to tell the fake items from the real ones.

How Does Rimowa Compare to Other Brands?

Rimowa is one of the top luxury luggage brands, but its price always makes people think twice about buying one and looking for something more affordable with the same high quality. How does Rimowa compare with luggage in terms of price, quality, and durability?

Rimowa vs. Tumi

Travelers often compare Rimowa and Tumi as they are both luxury luggage brands known for their high quality, durability, and high prices. While Rimowa only sells hard-sided luggage, Tumi offers its customers hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases.

Where quality is concerned, both luggage brands are known for delivering the best where durability is concerned. Rimowa and Tumi are two of the most established luggage brands and a great favorite among many travelers.

In terms of price, however, they are almost the same, with their luggage costing an average of $800-1,000. You may find bags that cost a little more than $500 per bag from either brand, while their bigger suitcases with more features may cost $1,500 or more. In terms of warranty, both Rimowa and Tumi offer a five-year warranty on their suitcases.

Related Article: Tumi Luggage Review

Rimowa vs. Briggs & Riley

Briggs & Riley is another popular luxury luggage brand established in the 1990s. Contrary to Rimowa, which only offers hard-sided suitcases, Briggs & Riley’s collections feature both hard-sided and soft-sided luggage.

If you’re looking for more luggage options, especially those costing less than $500, you’ll find more choices at Briggs & Riley. Both luggage brands, however, have luxury luggage collections that cost over $1,000.

While Rimowa is the first thing people will think of if you are looking for luggage that will last you a long time, Briggs & Riley has been able to manufacture excellent-quality suitcases, too.

If your concern is the warranty, where Rimowa offers a five-year one, Briggs & Riley is the only luggage company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If your bag gets broken for some reason, Briggs & Riley will repair it free of charge—no proof of purchase is needed.

Rimowa vs. Travelpro

Travelpro is another luggage brand popular among airline staff and frequent travelers. They manufacture both hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases. While Rimowa’s colors are few and their designs limited to their classic grooved luggage, Travelpro is a little more experimental with colors, designs, and types.

In terms of price, Rimowa is still obviously the pricier one, with their suitcases ranging from $500-1000. Travelpro is easily the more affordable option, as most of their high-end collections cost about $500. They even sell luggage sets of two suitcases for a little over $600. Though Travelpro may be expensive for travelers looking for budget-friendly suitcases, they are still cheaper than Rimowa.

Where Rimowa has a standard five-year warranty for most of their products, Travelpro’s warranty depends on what you get. They have a 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year warranty. They also have a limited lifetime warranty for some of their collections.

Rimowa vs. Away

If you are looking for a high-quality classic suitcase, Rimowa is your best option. However, if you are looking for functional and fashionable luggage that won’t break the bank, Away might be your best bet. Away also has more diverse colors, styles, and sizes, but Rimowa’s suitcases are immensely popular for their simple yet sophisticated look.

Cost-wise, Rimowa is a great deal more expensive than Away. One Rimowa suitcase is almost equal to three Away bags. Away is doing a great job in terms of durability, and many travelers who use Away have reported being satisfied with it. However, if you’re thinking of a one-time investment in luggage that you will use for the rest of your life, then you may want to consider Rimowa, which has years of experience and testing, or go with a similar, but a less expensive brand.

In terms of warranty, Away has a much better one because they cover most defects regardless of the cause.

Rimowa vs. ROAM Luggage

While ROAM Luggage is fairly new in the travel industry, they are quickly becoming popular because of how they take customizing your suitcase to another level. With ROAM Luggage, you can choose the colors you want, from the front and back shell to the carry handles, wheels, zippers, and more.

ROAM Luggage costs approximately $600-700 for carry-on or checked suitcases, depending on what you want to get. They also have expandable luggage for those who need to bring more. ROAM’s pricing is significantly less than Rimowa, where the average price is $800-1,000, although you will be able to find some carry-ons that cost a little more than $500.

If you are concerned about the warranty, ROAM Luggage has the better deal. They have a lifetime warranty compared to Rimowa’s five-year one.

Rimowa vs. Paravel

Paravel is another new brand in the travel industry, but its focus is not only on manufacturing functional suitcases but on creating eco-friendly products. They launched the world’s first carbon-neutral suitcase in 2016 and are committed to producing more sustainable items. Paravel is also committed to ethical manufacturing.

Both Paravel and Rimowa have sleek, fashionable designs for their suitcases. Paravel, however, has a lot more diverse colors. In terms of price, Paravel’s are more affordable, with their bags averaging $300-400 compared to Rimowa’s $800-1,000.

In terms of warranty, Paravel has a ten-year limited warranty, while Rimowa only offers theirs for five years.

Is Rimowa Worth It?

Rimowa marries luxury and functionality with its luggage and other travel accessories. If you get a Rimowa, not only are you paying for the durability and quality of its products, but you are also paying for the name behind countless years of experience and research.

Rimowa’s bags are expensive, but their manufacturing process and dedication to producing the best travel bags make up for their price tag. If you have money to spare and want luggage that will last you a long time—perhaps even for your entire life—Rimowa is a great brand to invest in, and you’ll definitely be getting what you pay for. Several travelers have had their Rimowa luggage for years and say they still look brand new.